Tanca Tanca

Housing Glossary

You will find information here on all topics relating to housing in Barcelona

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accrued interest

The interest applied as a penalisation when the debtor does not comply with repayment obligations. The amount must be established in the contract.

Active supermortgage

This allows the client to choose their loan's benchmark index (MIBOR at three months, six months or a year) so that payment can benefit from lower interest rates sooner.

Adaptable instalment

Characteristic of UCI superloans that allow the borrower to not pay one instalment a year for the first three years if there are problems due to holidays, extraordinary expenses, etc.

Advanced cancellation fee

A commission arising from the financial risk involved in the advanced cancellation of an operation. The applied commission compensates the financial institution for its financial losses.

AEDE

Direct state aid for paying the deposit on a property.

Affordable housing

Group of social housing or dwellings from social renovation projects that are sold or rented at below-market prices.

Affordable rent

The cost of renting these dwellings is below market prices after being included in operations concerning the rented flat pool, social renovation or social housing promotions.

Amortisation

Payment made to repay a loan.

Amortisation period

The duration of the loan. The contract establishes the date of the first and last payments. The longer the period, the lower the payments are, but the higher the interest. You therefore pay more in the end. The monthly instalment should not exceed 35% of your net income.

API

Estate agent. A qualified professional who acts as an intermediary between the two interested parties to facilitate the signing of a real estate contract, which can be a rental agreement, a sales agreement or another similar contract. They usually charge a percentage of the sales price as compensation or commission.

Applicant

A citizen who makes a registration application to the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Registry, and who represents the other members of the dwelling unit included in the application.

APR

Annual Equivalent Rate. Effective annual cost of the mortgage in terms of interest, commissions and the repayment period. To compare loans, it is not enough to just look at the lowest APR, you also have to compare the conditions, the repayment period and the distribution of instalment payments.

Arbitri municipal de plusvàlua

Former denomination of the capital gains tax on landed property.

Assessment

The value of a dwelling certified by a specialised assessment company, in accordance with the mortgage market law. This certificate not only indicates the real value of the property, it also serves as a reference for obtaining the necessary financing.

Authorisation

Document in which the owner authorises the tenant to carry out building work in the dwelling's interior.

Close glossary

Housing offices only offer face-to-face assistance by prior appointment, so check out the “Housing calls you” service here to receive the most appropriate personalised assistance. If you also need assistance in energy rights, book an appointment with an energy-advice point (PAE) by clicking here. On the other hand, if you reside in an IMHAB public dwelling you can consult our contact, management and processing channels here.​

28/07/2020 - 10:44

Handover of keys to the apartments of a new development of 68 homes in the Llacuna neighbourhood of El Poblenou

The project has the highest energy classification and will provide an alternative of affordable housing for some 280 persons.

24/07/2020 - 08:33

The Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory analyses the structure and concentration of housing ownership in the city

One-third of Barcelona’s rental housing stock belongs to large landlords

16/07/2020 - 15:54

Licences for 597 tourist flats revoked because of infringements to regulations

Housing. The plan to control the sector and protect the right to housing has cut the number of illegal lets from 6,000 to 300.

13/07/2020 - 20:01

New administrative mechanism to put empty flats in the city to social use

Housing. If the flats are not made available to rent within one month, measures such as fines or expropriation warnings will be...

13/07/2020 - 18:02

It is essential to make an appointment for public housing stock procedures at the IMHAB Office

Housing. A team of experts will handle consultations and procedures regarding Barcelona’s public housing stock

10/07/2020 - 13:47

"Housing calls you" provides personalised assistance over the phone

Housing. The seven open housing offices only attend to users with an appointment and when procedures cannot be done telematically.

08/07/2020 - 11:41

Experts talk about the need for a regulated, transparent, and stable rental market in the second session of the rental market regulation committee

Housing. Experts and social stakeholders talk about international experiences in rental market regulation

18/06/2020 - 16:55

Proceedings to fine the Azora investment fund for keeping flats empty

Housing. The infringement is classified as very serious and may lead to fines of between 90,000 and 900,000 euros.

12/06/2020 - 09:52

FAQs on housing during the state of emergency

Housing. Barcelona City Council is publishing a guide in ten languages for clearing up any queries on the emergency housing measures...

06/06/2020 - 12:35

Eight houses purchased in Sant Andreu’s old quarter to avoid residents being forced out

Housing. The properties were purchased exercising the right to first refusal.